After the first day of school, no obligation to appear: The Liverpool FC pros practiced with the ball for the first time on Wednesday after almost nine weeks.
“Perfect, absolutely perfect,” cheered trainer Jürgen Klopp after the unit in small groups. The German star coach does not want to force any of his players to train in view of the corona danger.
“It’s their decision, that’s for sure,” emphasized Klopp on a day when Liverpool’s hope of winning the first English championship in 30 years in the traditional, that is, sporty, way had become a little more likely. Because the clubs in the Premier League, which has been paused for corona since March 13, are allowed to train with their players in small groups.
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The prospect of the first reunion made for a short night at Klopp. “I woke up earlier than usual, and then I realized that it was the first day,” said Klopp. “It was like before the first day of school.”
“You are here freely”
He later made it clear to his protégés: “You are here of your own free will. Usually you sign a contract and have to be here when I say it. In this case, if you don’t feel safe, you don’t have to be.”
The club would respect “100 percent” absence due to health concerns. “Yes, we love football and yes, it is our job, but football is no more important than our lives or the lives of others,” said Klopp.
However, all of his fit players marched again on the first day of training, which the 18-time English champions contested in groups of five players. “The boys are in a good mood, there is a lot of laughter,” said Klopp. The reigning Champions League winner is 25 points ahead of the first chaser Manchester City. From the remaining nine games, the “Reds” only have to take two wins for the 19th championship title.
Further delay?
When it comes to a restart in the Premier League has not yet been finally clarified. So far, a continuation of the league with ghost games on June 12 was considered likely. According to media reports, this could be delayed by another week.
The British government is subject to strict security measures, and the number of people infected with corona in England must not rise again. Minister for Sports Oliver Dowden announced Wednesday that he would be approved for physical contact training in top-class sports – traditional team training in soccer – this week.
Liverpool fans still fear that the almost flawless league season (27 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) could be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic – or that Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Co. will no longer find their old form. Klopp contradicted this after the first real finding: “Our fans do not have to worry: the boys are in great shape. We are ready and it is really nice to be back.”
Text source: © APA
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